Braces are a significant step toward achieving a beautiful, straight smile. However, maintaining proper oral hygiene with braces requires extra attention and effort. If you live in Dubai and are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, you should adopt specific oral care practices to keep your mouth healthy and prevent complications like plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. In this article, we'll guide you through the best Dental Braces Cost In Dubai, ensuring that your smile stays both clean and healthy throughout your treatment.
1. Brush Your Teeth Thoroughly and Regularly
Brushing your teeth with braces is essential for preventing plaque buildup and tooth decay. Since braces have brackets, wires, and other components that can trap food particles, it's important to brush your teeth more carefully. Here are some key tips:
- Brush after every meal: With braces, food particles can get stuck in the brackets and wires. It's important to brush your teeth after every meal to prevent food from lingering on your teeth, which can lead to plaque formation.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: A soft-bristled toothbrush is gentle on both your gums and your braces. It’s also more effective at removing food particles and plaque around your braces and gums.
- Angle your toothbrush correctly: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Brush gently in small circular motions to remove plaque from both the teeth and the brackets.
- Spend at least two minutes brushing: Make sure to brush all areas of your mouth, including the front, back, and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as around your brackets.
2. Use an Interdental Brush or Floss Threader
Flossing with braces can be challenging, but it's crucial for cleaning between your teeth where regular brushing can't reach. Traditional flossing can be tricky, but using specialized tools like an interdental brush or a floss threader can make the job much easier. These tools help remove food debris and plaque buildup between your teeth and around the braces.
- Interdental brush: This small, cone-shaped brush is perfect for getting between the brackets and wires to remove food particles and plaque.
- Floss threader: A floss threader helps you guide floss between your teeth and under the wire, allowing you to floss more effectively without damaging the braces.
Flossing at least once a day, preferably before bedtime, ensures that your teeth and gums stay healthy during your treatment.
3. Rinse with Mouthwash
Rinsing your mouth with an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash helps in maintaining oral hygiene with braces. Mouthwash can help reduce the bacteria in your mouth, which can cause bad breath, plaque buildup, and gum disease. It also strengthens your teeth and gums, providing an extra layer of protection against cavities and gum infections.
- Fluoride mouthwash: A fluoride mouthwash can help remineralize your teeth, making them more resistant to decay and cavities.
- Antimicrobial mouthwash: This type of mouthwash helps kill bacteria, which is crucial when you have braces that trap food and plaque.
Rinse with mouthwash after brushing and flossing to give your oral care routine a complete finish.
4. Avoid Certain Foods
One of the most important aspects of maintaining oral hygiene with braces is avoiding foods that can damage your Dental Braces or contribute to poor oral health. Some foods are more likely to cause plaque buildup, get stuck in your braces, or break the brackets and wires.
- Sticky foods: Candy, chewing gum, caramel, and other sticky foods can stick to your braces and teeth, making it difficult to clean. They can also increase the risk of cavities.
- Hard foods: Foods like hard candies, popcorn kernels, and nuts can damage or break the wires or brackets of your braces.
- Sugary snacks: Excessive sugar can lead to plaque buildup and tooth decay. Opt for healthier snacks like fruits and vegetables instead.
It's important to be mindful of your diet while wearing braces to avoid potential damage and maintain good oral hygiene.
5. Use a Water Flosser
A water flosser is an excellent tool for cleaning between your braces and along the gum line. It works by spraying a gentle stream of water that helps dislodge food particles and plaque from hard-to-reach areas. A water flosser can be especially helpful for people with braces, as it reaches areas that traditional flossing or brushing might miss.
- Water pressure: Adjust the pressure to suit your comfort level to avoid damaging your gums or braces.
- Daily use: Use the water flosser after brushing and flossing to ensure a deeper clean.
Incorporating a water flosser into your routine can significantly improve your oral hygiene and keep your braces in good condition.
6. Regularly Check Your Braces
Regularly checking your braces is an often-overlooked step in maintaining oral hygiene. Make sure your brackets, wires, and bands are secure. If any part of your braces is loose or damaged, it can cause discomfort and compromise the effectiveness of your treatment.
- Check for broken brackets or loose wires: If you notice any issues with your braces, visit your orthodontist as soon as possible for repairs.
- Adjustments: Some patients find that their braces become uncomfortable after a few weeks. You can use orthodontic wax to cover any areas that are causing irritation to your gums and cheeks.
Keeping your braces in good working condition helps prevent unnecessary oral health problems.
7. Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly
Maintaining good oral hygiene also involves regular check-ups with your orthodontist to ensure that your braces are functioning correctly and that your teeth are moving as expected. These appointments also provide an opportunity for professional cleanings to help remove any plaque buildup that you may have missed during daily brushing and flossing.
- Routine adjustments: Regular appointments will also allow your orthodontist to adjust your braces as needed, ensuring that your treatment continues smoothly.
- Preventive care: Your orthodontist can check for early signs of gum disease or cavities and help address any issues before they become serious.
Conclusion
Maintaining good oral hygiene with braces in Dubai requires extra attention and effort. By following the practices outlined in this guide—brushing and flossing regularly, using the right tools, avoiding damaging foods, and visiting your orthodontist—you can ensure that your braces stay clean, your teeth stay healthy, and your smile is on track. With proper care and diligence, you'll enjoy the benefits of a beautiful, straight smile when your braces come off.